Online Gambling in Louisiana: Laws, Riverboat Casinos, and Regulated Sports Betting
Louisiana maintains a regulated gambling framework under the Louisiana Gaming Control Board (LGCB), encompassing riverboat casinos, tribal facilities, video poker, and mobile sports betting. No intrastate online casinos or poker sites operate legally, with enforcement targeting unlicensed operators rather than individual players. Offshore platforms accept Louisiana residents in a gray area, with no documented prosecutions for personal participation as of 2026, though state law prohibits unauthorized gambling and highlights risks such as lack of protections and potential fraud on unregulated sites. Discussions on iGaming expansion continue without passage.
Legal Framework for Online Gambling
Louisiana Revised Statutes Title 14 §90 and related provisions prohibit unauthorized gambling, including computer-based activities under §90.3. Penalties focus on operators conducting illegal enterprises, with limited emphasis on individual players. No specific statutes penalize residents for using offshore sites, though such play falls outside regulated channels. The LGCB and Louisiana State Police prioritize enforcement against illegal domestic operations. Online casino and poker remain unlicensed, with legislative studies in 2024-2025 exploring iGaming but no enactment as of early 2026.
Land-Based and Riverboat Casinos
Louisiana features 15 riverboat casinos (many now dockside or land-based post-2018 amendments), one land-based venue (Harrah’s New Orleans), and four tribal casinos. Major riverboat properties include Horseshoe Bossier City, Boomtown New Orleans, Treasure Chest Casino, and L’Auberge Casino & Hotel Baton Rouge. These offer extensive slots, table games (blackjack, roulette, craps), and video poker. Harrah’s New Orleans, operated by Caesars Entertainment, provides over 2,000 slots, 100+ table games, and a poker room. Tribal casinos—Coushatta Casino Resort, Cypress Bayou Casino Hotel, Jena Choctaw Pines Casino, and Paragon Casino Resort—deliver similar gaming under federal compacts. Racinos like Delta Downs and Evangeline Downs feature slots and video gaming. No state-sanctioned online casino access exists for residents.
Poker in Louisiana
Live poker rooms operate at Harrah’s New Orleans (20 tables), Coushatta Casino Resort (20 tables), Horseshoe Bossier City (14 tables), and others like Isle of Capri Lake Charles (13 tables). Games focus on No-Limit Hold’em cash and tournaments with buy-ins from $80-$240. No regulated real-money online poker platforms are available. Offshore sites serve Louisiana players unregulated, carrying legal ambiguity and risks. Sweepstakes or social alternatives provide free-play options.
Sports Betting in Louisiana
Mobile and retail sports betting launched in 2022 following a 2020 parish referendum (approved in 55 of 64 parishes). Licensed operators include FanDuel, DraftKings, Caesars, BetMGM, and others, with apps requiring geo-location verification. Retail sportsbooks operate at casinos and racetracks. Pari-mutuel horse racing continues at Fair Grounds, Delta Downs, Louisiana Downs, and Evangeline Downs, with online platforms like TwinSpires and TVG. Greyhound racing remains prohibited. Offshore sportsbooks persist without player-focused enforcement.
Daily Fantasy Sports Availability
Daily Fantasy Sports operates legally in 47 parishes following a 2018 referendum and subsequent regulations. Major platforms DraftKings and FanDuel accept Louisiana residents in approved areas, using geolocation to restrict play in opting-out parishes. No statewide prohibition exists, though full licensing and tax frameworks remain under review.
Louisiana Lottery and Other Games
The Louisiana Lottery offers draw games (Powerball, Mega Millions, Pick 3, Pick 4, Easy 5), scratch-offs, and fast-play options. Tickets sell exclusively through licensed retailers and self-service terminals—no direct online sales are authorized. The official website and app provide results, promotions, and second-chance entries. Charitable bingo runs through nonprofits statewide, but no commercial or online bingo receives state approval.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of gambling are available in Louisiana?
Louisiana provides riverboat/land-based casinos with slots and table games, tribal casinos, regulated mobile/retail sports betting, DFS in approved parishes, pari-mutuel horse racing, the state lottery, and charitable bingo. Online casinos and poker lack regulation.
What laws govern online gambling in Louisiana?
Title 14 statutes prohibit unauthorized gambling, focusing on operators. Player participation on offshore sites remains in a gray area without direct penalties, though unlicensed activities carry risks.
Is online gambling legal for players in Louisiana?
Regulated online options include sports betting and DFS (in select parishes); casinos and poker are prohibited. Offshore play occurs without individual prosecutions reported, but offers no state safeguards.
Which offshore sites accept Louisiana residents?
Many offshore casinos, poker rooms, and sportsbooks welcome Louisiana players, though participation involves unregulated risks regarding security and fairness.
Does Louisiana offer intrastate online gambling?
Only sports betting and DFS (limited parishes) provide intrastate online access; no licensed online casinos or poker exist.